Foto: Dritan Haxhia/
In the frigid temperatures of this December Tuesday afternoon the Albanian flag was raised alongside the US “Stars and Stripes” at the historic Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan in a subdued ceremony. The symbolic event that honors Albania’s national Day was hosted by NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYC Community Affairs Unit, Mayor’s Office for International Affairs following celebratory dinners and events hosted by the community in honor of the 113th anniversary of Albania’s Independence Day through the last weeks of November to early December. Mayor Eric Adams did not attend but his presence loomed large. Commissioner for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro and Commissioner of NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Aissata Camara, who have served under Mayor Adams, and were presented with Citations at the event, reiterated that “this is the last flag raising of the Mayor’ term in office.” Mayor Adams has embraced and expanded the practice for many New York communities.
Vanesa Limani, Staten Island Borough Director at the NYC Community Affairs Unit, who emceed the event, highlighted, in her opening remarks, “the unity of the Albanian people across the lands”. She invited Clergy leader Imam Tahir Kukaj to deliver the event prayer. The next speaker, Arthur Piccolo, who serves as Chairman of the Bowling Green Association, reminded everyone, through a vivid historical account of the 1776 New York under British occupation, of the significance conveyed in the flag raising ceremony at that very spot. He recalled the first time the Albanian workers of 26 Broadway started the practice in the mid 1990s.
“This is more than a ceremony, it is reminder of a bridge we build between the two nations,” said Orchida Harizaj, Project Manager, Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media. The honorees Fitim Shabani, Vlera Sela and Mary Camaj each reflected on the meaning of their individual recognitions on a personal level and as inheritors of an honorable heritage. Mark Gjonaj, NYC former Council Member was presented with a citation at the ceremony that celebrated our shared values and the vast impact of New York Albanians to the city they call home. Guest speakers echoed the significance of the flag raising ceremony. Suela Janina, Ambassador of Albania to the UN, conveyed the message of symbolism and the artistic statement embedded in “our beautiful flag”. The children’s choir Kënga Jonë under the direction of Blina Selimaj enriched the ceremony with two performances of Albanian songs.
Commissioner Manuel Castro and Vera Mjeku, Program Manager for City Council unveiled the official animation of New York Albanians, a year-long project designed to highlight the under represented communities of the city. The logo of Dielli, the 116 year old newspaper of VATRA, stood out on the board woven into the life of this city and the Albanian community.
On November 28, 2022, the day that marked the 110 anniversary of Albania’s Independence, the flag raising ceremony on Bowling Green Park was organized by Vatra in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs under the Mayorship of Eric Adams. The same year the Mayor hosted Albanian Heritage day at Gracie Mansion https://gazetadielli.com/recognizing-albanian-heritage…/ Mayor Adams sought re-election for a second term but then stepped out of the 2025 race. NYC Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani starts his term on January 1, 2026.